Virgin Mobile announces first integrated Helio services handset
Posted by Justin B. on September 9th, 2008 at 10:43 AM
In addition to their new slogan, “Helio By Virgin Mobile: Plan To Have It All.”, Virgin Mobile USA also announced a few other interesting things today. The launch of a new Helio integrated handset called the Shuttle, which should be out on September 28th at Best Buy. It wasn’t extremely clear if it was being launched under VM or the ‘Helio by VM’ brand Looks like it will definitely be a VM phone with Helio features. From the newest press release dropped by VM, it says:
“Following Virgin Mobile USA’s recent acquisition of Helio, the Shuttle will be the first handset enabled to integrate several features from the Helio portfolio. This will include improved access to social networking communities and other mobile internet sites through partnerships with Accuweather, ESPN, Facebook*, MySpace, YouTube, Yahoo! and more.
The Shuttle is also slated to feature Virgin Mobile’s first location-based services from uLocate including:
— Buddy Beacon, the popular ‘friend-finder’ solution which allows
customers to find friends in a crowded city and show where they are
and what they’re doing; and
— Where, the application that delivers local information to easily
discover nearby places and things of interest such as locating the
lowest gas prices, finding local events, and getting restaurant
recommendations.”
The $80 A-La-Carte plan has also been given a nice update, from 1500 minutes to unlimited. This option will be available for current and future Helions.
A small announcement, but it’s good to hear at least something is happening. Keep things rollin’, VM.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Does this mean they are possibly keeping the Helio name? Hmmmm.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Finally some good news…
September 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
see things are going to start rolling out…..
i belive alot of good things should be starting up,considering x-mas time is around the corner..
if the current customers just wait it out,we might me inn for some cool stuff!
September 9th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
The Shuttle huh?
So then this new phone will work with Helios service?
Do you think this was on Helios idea list to begin with?
September 9th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Do you think this was on Helios idea list to begin with?
Doubt it.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
When oh When will the OZ2 drop???? I have a drift and want the latest phone , but don’t want to buy the ocean only to have the OZ2 drop right after!!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
so whats up with features on the phone and other plans like mine the unlimitaed? is the prices gonna drop or any benefits?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
All the news articles I have read have pegged the Shuttle as being a VM phone but with Helio’s exclusive-to-now Buddy Beacon incorporated.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
wow lame…. I hope they start hustlin cell phones now. so does that mean 3g at all or does that it will work with helios service
September 9th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
These clowns…bump a “shuttle”, a crotch rocket, or whatever other name they want to give any new product that’s not the Ocean 2 (or sweeter). I wake up every morning hoping to see that the new Ocean dropped and I go to sleep miserable every night….QUIIITTTTT PPLLAAYYIIIINNGGG WIIITTTTTHHH MYYYY EEMMMOOOTTTIOOONNSSS!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
oops ny fault what i ment to say was does it mean it will work on the helio service plans?
September 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
yaay!! finally newish plans and news!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
finally news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
They are gonna pffer evdo phones on VM2, according howard forums, and shuttle is basically a v phone. but at least they are replacing plans and adding more value
September 9th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
This is another great unlimited offering by Helio and should attract a lot of customers nationwide from the $99 unlimited plans. If you do the math it is a saving of $480 over the two year contract so next time you see a $99 unlimited offering, remember you can get it for cheaper and save over $450 over the two year contract. To always stay up to date on the latest on unlimited plan promotions remember to visit http://www.UnlimitedHelio.com
September 10th, 2008 at 5:53 am
but you till don’t get unlimited net and and content with that plan do you
September 10th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Engadget Mobile has an article about the Shuttle which is indeed a Virgin Mobile phone with Helio options: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/09/10/virgin-launches-shuttle-boldly-goes-where-no-virgin-handset-has/
September 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Im glad somethings happening but I gotta say im not too impressed with the shuttle. Virgin is more than just phones. They are a huge company and they can’t afford to come out with a quality phone? Every time I look at their phones they look like plastic toys.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:59 am
haaa haaa totally true. why wont the get their owner to put some cash into it and make some pda or at least decent phones. hook up with motorola. isnt vm a part of sprint because kiaosk sell em where im from with boost too.
September 10th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
i’m just happy to hear SOMETHING from somewhere.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
So this isnt a helio phone? it is only an option for vm customers?
September 11th, 2008 at 8:26 am
This is stupid. How can millionaires be so dumb? If you are going to take over then do it. If not then go home. I wish a company would let me b the CEO for one year. They keep playing and there will be a company like walmart will take over. Ask Target and Kmart about that. It always takes someone like us to get a chance and we will take over.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
1 more year left…fuck helio
September 30th, 2008 at 1:23 am
The shuttle is virgin mobile first 3G phone and the best they have came out with considering is doesn’t have any helio features. worth the dollar for prepaid